For the second time in just months, budget problems are forcing the Snohomish Health District to cut programs and lay off people.
On Tuesday, the countywide public health agency chopped nearly a half-million dollars from its $19 million budget and decided to eliminate 15 positions.
The district still may need to trim another $350,000 later this year.
At its meeting Tuesday, the health district board decided to end a program that works with child-care providers to increase safety, such as careful food preparation and diaper changing to prevent children from becoming ill.
That step, which saves $200,000 this year, involves eliminating the equivalent of nearly six positions.
The program was first begun in 1993, said Rick Mockler, a deputy health district administrator. It is thought to be the only such program of its kind in the state.
The program will be shut down in August.
The second money-saving move was to cut back on a program that does septic system inspections, eliminating the equivalent of 9.5 full-time positions. That should save about $300,000 this year.
The cuts were suggested because the downturn in the economy means that fewer applications for new septic systems are being made.
The program is bringing in about $720,000 less than budgeted, Mockler said.
There are approximately 70,000 septic systems in Snohomish County, he said.
“It takes two years to train a sanitarian to look in the ground and understand the soils well enough to make sure sewage is appropriately treated and doesn’t enter the drinking water,” he said. “It’s not simple work.”
The budget cuts need to be made despite a $700,000 loan from the county that needs to be repaid during the first quarter of next year. The loan will allow the public health agency to continue to pay its bills and make payroll, Mockler said.
Last fall, the health district approved a budget that trimmed 25 positions this year and saved about $1 million from program and personnel cuts.
The district also halved the hours the health district’s clinics in Everett and Lynnwood are open.
The budget was based in part on the assumption that the Snohomish Health District would get additional funding from the state Legislature, Mockler said. Public health agencies statewide also are facing budget cutbacks. However, no additional money was approved.
The issue before the health district board on Tuesday was whether to make cuts to a total of four programs now, reducing staff by about 28 positions, in the hope of preventing any further cuts next year. Or, to try to find other steps to reduce costs.
After two hours of discussion, the health district board decided to not make any further cuts Tuesday.
Health district employees, both union and nonunionized staff, will be asked if they will consider steps such as furloughs, reduced hours and pay cuts to avoid more program and staff cuts.
Cost of living increases of 2.5 percent were approved in September for employees.
Snohomish County Council member Dave Somers, who serves on the health district board, said at the time, the board had no idea how severe the economic downturn would be.
After hearing back from employees, the board will consider what other budget cutting steps to take at its meeting in July.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486, salyer@heraldnet.com.
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